Haze: Organisers In Sarawak Urged To Assess Conditions Before Events - SDMC

KUCHING, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has urged organisers of official, private and community events to assess prevailing haze conditions and Air Pollutant Index (API) readings before deciding whether to proceed, postpone or cancel their activities.

SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the decision to hold events currently remains with individual organisers, but they should make responsible decisions based on public health risks, particularly for outdoor programmes.

“SDMC wishes to clarify that, at this point, the decision to proceed, postpone or cancel remains at the discretion of the respective organisers, unless a specific directive is issued by the relevant authorities.

“Where the API exceeds 200, organisers are strongly advised to reconsider outdoor physical activities, sports and strenuous exercise, particularly when children, the elderly or other vulnerable groups are involved,” he said in a statement today.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak Deputy Premier, encouraged organisers to consider alternatives such as moving events indoors, modifying activities or postponing them if air quality deteriorates further.

He added that SDMC was working closely with state and federal agencies to continuously monitor the situation and implement measures progressively in line with established disaster management guidelines.

“Should the API exceed 500, the applicable guidelines provide for the closure of government and private sector offices and workplaces, except for essential services, pending a declaration of a Disaster Emergency by the National Disaster Management Committee (NADMA),” he said.

Air quality in several parts of Sarawak deteriorated sharply at midday today, with Serian, Samarahan and Kuching recording hazardous API levels as of 12.30 pm.

According to the Department of Environment’s  Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, the highest reading was recorded at the Serian District Police Headquarters monitoring station at 412, followed by Samarahan at 332 and Kuching at 304.

Sri Aman recorded a very unhealthy reading of 228.

Areas recording unhealthy readings included Sarikei (197), Sibu (190), Bintulu (183), Mukah (176), Samalaju (175), Kapit (161), Miri (159) and the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP) (156).

-- BERNAMA